It seems like sacrilege to say anything negative about the blockbuster, record breaker, that is Les Misérables. Yes, it is a great experience, with some powerhouse big numbers that musical theatre and opera singers alike to add to their repertoire, the set pieces are magnificent, the music manipulates the emotions perfectly.
However, I am left wondering how many people who are not familiar with the story from, say, the Hollywood movie, or have thoroughly read the plot in advance, have much of a clue what is going on for the first flood of fast paced scenes.
The singing is so wordy and has to be sung so fast to race through the plot that it is difficult to really make out much what is being conveyed, and before we know it we have poor Fantine selling her hair (and then even more) and the intervention of the now incognito Jean Valjean.The now iconic tavern scene where Thénardier and his wife fleece and abuse the customers is always a hoot but again how much of the actually lyrics were completely audible beyond the chorus.
This ceases to be a problem when the singers are allowed the space to perform those big hitter ballads and of course they are also extremely well-known as stand-alone songs, including I Dreamed a Dream, On My Own, Bring Him Home, One Day More, and the comedic Master Of The House.
Nic Greenshields
Dean Chisnall
Will Callan
Lauren Drew
In the short interval I heard a few people explaining to others what was going on, even that Jean Valjean was the same man getting older, and why the policemen was still chasing him etc.
The second half fared much better because the plot is much simpler from poor old Eponine gorgeous aria of unrequited love, the barricades massacre, and the journey through the cellars, achieved with excellent CGI, Javert’s suicide, and then after a hay wedding scene the heart-breaking ending.
It is a slightly odd musical as well in that the two young lovers are two of the weakest characters in the musical. Much stronger is Eponine, Fantine and the two main male roles. It is also a shame there is no space to develop the young students who man and die on the barricades apart from the tearjerker of the little boy who gets shot.
This is a new version of the Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Boublil and Schönberg’s musical Les Misérables that has plenty of visual delight, clever props and scenery and now also CGI effects.
This cast was strong where it mattered most with Dean Chisnall as Jean Valjean and Nic Greenshield as Javert dominating throughout. Lauren Drew sang a bueatiful and symathetic Fantine and Siobhan O’Driscoll was Efabulous as Eponine, her UK regional accent worked really well to separate her from the nice middle-class students. Helen Walsh and Ian Hughes delivered the laughs in the roles of Madame Thénardier and Thénardier. Will Callan sang a pleasant and charming Marius but the Cosette from Paige Blankson lacked the same vocal impact but then it is a pretty dull role.
The large cast who took several roles, from prostitutes and factory workers to soldiers and wedding party guests worked their socks off and were excellent.
The orchestra gave it their all and the music had great impact.
The audience loved the show and this will prove a popular new production through its long run at Wales Millennium Centre this festive season.
Until January 14
https://www.wmc.org.uk/en/whats-on/2022/les-miserables